South Asia Today South Asia Today Chapter 25Chapter 25

AgricultureAgriculture Most people in SA make their living by Most people in SA make their living by

farming (70% in India, 80% in farming (70% in India, 80% in Bangladesh)Bangladesh)

Most people practice Most people practice subsistence subsistence farmingfarming

Simple tools are used Simple tools are used Some farmers now use tractors Some farmers now use tractors Irrigation of fields done with water Irrigation of fields done with water

pumped from wellspumped from wells

A Variety of CropsA Variety of Crops

Major food crop is rice (India – 2Major food crop is rice (India – 2ndnd in in world)world)

Wheat = Indo-Gangetic PlainWheat = Indo-Gangetic Plain Peanuts are grown on western coastPeanuts are grown on western coast Bangladesh = jute (75% of export Bangladesh = jute (75% of export

income)income) Cotton = India & PakistanCotton = India & Pakistan Tea = India & Sri LankaTea = India & Sri Lanka Region very dependent upon cash cropsRegion very dependent upon cash crops

Improved Agricultural Improved Agricultural PracticesPractices

Population continues to grow & gov’ts Population continues to grow & gov’ts have realized the need for modern have realized the need for modern technologytechnology

Improvements include pesticides, Improvements include pesticides, irrigation and fertilizationirrigation and fertilization

Farmers are being taught to plant 2 or Farmers are being taught to plant 2 or more crops on the same piece of land in more crops on the same piece of land in a single yeara single year

Education & gov’t leadership importantEducation & gov’t leadership important Green Revolution increasing crop yieldsGreen Revolution increasing crop yields

MiningMining

Most mining takes place on the Indo-Most mining takes place on the Indo-Gangetic Plain & eastern IndiaGangetic Plain & eastern India

Mica, coal, iron ore, bauxite, silver, & Mica, coal, iron ore, bauxite, silver, & copper are found herecopper are found here

Natural gas deposits in PakistanNatural gas deposits in Pakistan Sapphires and rubies in Sri LankaSapphires and rubies in Sri Lanka Bhutan = coal, lead, marble, zinc, & Bhutan = coal, lead, marble, zinc, &

copper, but there are problems with copper, but there are problems with extractionextraction

FishingFishing Important industry in Sri Lanka & Important industry in Sri Lanka &

PakistanPakistan Fresh & dried fish serve as exports Fresh & dried fish serve as exports In Bangladesh, fish is a primary food In Bangladesh, fish is a primary food

source and it has grown to become a source and it has grown to become a major industry, even though it is major industry, even though it is relatively newrelatively new

Light IndustryLight Industry

Involves the production of consumer Involves the production of consumer goods (i.e. bicycles, TV's, and textiles)goods (i.e. bicycles, TV's, and textiles)

24 million employed in textile industry24 million employed in textile industry Many goods produced in homesMany goods produced in homes Goods created include cotton, rayon, Goods created include cotton, rayon,

silk, shoes, jewelry, and furnituresilk, shoes, jewelry, and furniture Privately owned companies (less than Privately owned companies (less than

100 employees) are also key100 employees) are also key

Heavy IndustryHeavy Industry Large scale industries are related to Large scale industries are related to

mining, electric power, iron, & steel mining, electric power, iron, & steel productionproduction

Bangladesh = steel, iron, & cementBangladesh = steel, iron, & cement Bangladesh also specializes in shipbuildingBangladesh also specializes in shipbuilding Until the 1990’s, more than 200 of its Until the 1990’s, more than 200 of its

industries were owned solely by the gov’tindustries were owned solely by the gov’t Since 1992 – foreign investment has been Since 1992 – foreign investment has been

encouragedencouraged

TourismTourism Tourism is important to many South Tourism is important to many South

Asian countries including Nepal Asian countries including Nepal (hunting), Bhutan (exotic location), (hunting), Bhutan (exotic location), and Sri Lanka (beaches and fancy and Sri Lanka (beaches and fancy hotels)hotels)

Violence between the Sinhalese and Violence between the Sinhalese and the Tamils have reduced tourism on the Tamils have reduced tourism on the islandthe island

DeforestationDeforestation Definition = loss of forestsDefinition = loss of forests ½ of trees in N. India have been cut down in ½ of trees in N. India have been cut down in

the past 30 yearsthe past 30 years 1/3 of Nepal’s forests have been cut down1/3 of Nepal’s forests have been cut down TrekkersTrekkers use tons of firewood, litter, and use tons of firewood, litter, and

leave garbage behind in their journeysleave garbage behind in their journeys Slash and burn methods have caused Slash and burn methods have caused

deforestationdeforestation Only forests left in BangladeshOnly forests left in Bangladesh

are ones with are ones with Mangrove TreesMangrove Trees

EffectsEffects Defense against cyclones is limitedDefense against cyclones is limited Water run-off causes monsoon floodingWater run-off causes monsoon flooding Downpours wash topsoil off the Downpours wash topsoil off the

mountainsmountains Soil clogs dams & alters the paths of Soil clogs dams & alters the paths of

riversrivers Animals such as tigers & elephants Animals such as tigers & elephants

are forced into smaller habitatsare forced into smaller habitats Climate changes occurClimate changes occur

ConservationConservation Bhutan = gov’ts taking control of Bhutan = gov’ts taking control of

forests, limiting commercial forestryforests, limiting commercial forestry Sri Lanka = reforestation program Sri Lanka = reforestation program India = India = ChipkoChipko (tree hugger) (tree hugger)

movement movement Began by a follower of GandhiBegan by a follower of Gandhi Convinced the gov’t to halt Convinced the gov’t to halt

commercial timbering in thecommercial timbering in the

HimalayasHimalayas

WildlifeWildlife Sri Lanka = elephants, water buffalo, Sri Lanka = elephants, water buffalo,

monkeysmonkeys Bangladesh = crocodile & Bengal tigerBangladesh = crocodile & Bengal tiger Many of these animals are becoming Many of these animals are becoming

endangered in the forested areaendangered in the forested area Some have become rare due Some have become rare due

overhuntingoverhunting South Asian gov’ts have taken steps to South Asian gov’ts have taken steps to

protect these animals protect these animals (laws & organizations)(laws & organizations)

DamsDams Play an important role in irrigating dry Play an important role in irrigating dry

areasareas Pakistan = the world’s largest earthen Pakistan = the world’s largest earthen

damdam Producers of hydroelectric powerProducers of hydroelectric power Wildlife displaced and plant life destroyedWildlife displaced and plant life destroyed Some dams (India) are considered to be Some dams (India) are considered to be

interfering with the spiritual interfering with the spiritual

forces of the waterforces of the water

Narmada River ProjectNarmada River Project Located in India (Narmada River Basin)Located in India (Narmada River Basin) Many arguments for & against the project Many arguments for & against the project Pro’s:Pro’s:

Will generate large amounts of electricityWill generate large amounts of electricity Will irrigate millions of acres of landWill irrigate millions of acres of land Will control floodingWill control flooding

Con’s:Con’s:• 1000’s of tribal people will be forced off of 1000’s of tribal people will be forced off of

their landtheir land• Health problems will occurHealth problems will occur• The soil will be depletedThe soil will be depleted